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Friday, December 16, 2011

finish it up Friday, week 8

Welcome to finish it up Friday! I hope that those of you who are working on ambitious Christmas sewing lists are making great strides this week. :)

It's been a BUSY week here. Oh. My. Goodness. I finished a few quilts (yay!), but it's been raining/snowing, dreary and windy, so I haven't taken any photos of the finished goods. All in good time....

But, I do have a VERY exciting finish to share with you today. I am happy/nervous(oh-so-nervous)/excited and scared to death to announce that I've opened up a little shop to sell a few pdf patterns. Well, at this point, it's pattern, singular. (I have big plans to add more as I have a chance.) I can not believe how much work it takes to get the ball rolling. (Accountants, sales tax, pay pal issues, oh my!) No wonder I've been putting it off for so long. But, I've finally taken the plunge and thanks to my finish it up Friday challenge, I'm forgoing sleep in order to go live today. Gotta love a deadline!

My first pattern is for a 20" quilted diamond pillow cover with an envelope closure. You may remember these from last Christmas.

I have a few that live on my bed (that my husband loves to bat/launch/fling off the bed right before crawling in each night).

And here are a few new ones I sewed up using a Divine charm pack by Windham Fabrics. I love that fabric! The pillows were prizes at the Colorado quilt retreat last month. So now one lives in Colorado and the other one lives in Virginia. That makes me smile.

I've made many versions of this pillow and I love them every time! They are fun and easy to finish in a fairly short time. You might even have time to eek out a few for Christmas gifts? Not to add to your list or anything.....

Since everything is brand spankin' new in my shop (I know it shows-I've still got lots of work to do there), please let me know if you have any glitches in the ordering process. I have no idea how this is all gonna go...I'd appreciate any feedback in a gentle form, as I'll be extremely sleep deprived and it won't take much to drive me to tears today. (Ha!)

Now it's your turn! Step right up and link up your finish for the week. Please remember to link to a specific post. Thanks for joining in. Happy Friday!

I love those pillows! They're gorgeous. I can't buy till after Christmas, though. I do want to tell you....I'VE FINISHED MY SECOND QUILT!! Squeee! I finished it the night before last. I just haven't started anything else yet. Congratulations on your shop. It's going to do well. Merry Christmas!

Congrats on your shop!! I'm very excited for you and pray that this is a VERY POSITIVE experience.

I have learned more from you about quilting than anyone in person or on the net. I feel from some of your comments that people are not always appreciative of your tremendous efforts (and extraordinary generosity) like they deserve to be. I hope people don't pick/criticize this to death.

YOU ARE AMAZING, the pattern is amazing, I can hardly wait to get my hands on your new book, I'm excited about this new shop.

I just want to offer a word of encouragement so you will KEEP IT ROLLING......if there is a glitch today (hope not, but just in case) keep it going and know that there are waves and waves and multitudes of waves of us who REALLY APPRECIATE all you do.

It looks fantastic!! I'm so, so proud of you, my friend! I look forward to making a couple of these for my couch and do hope you take a video of K's happy jig!!! So silly, but I have tears in my eyes for you, quite literally! I was up til one, unable to turn my head off, wish I could have kept you company!!

Awesome step!! While I am not "in the market" to add ANYTHING to my plate at the moment, I did go look at the shop and I LOVE (love!) love that when you click on the picture it shows a bigger picture...makes it really easy to see what you are considering!!! That feature is awesome. Really! Good luck and as the saying goes (at least in this neck of the woods) "I'll be back!"

Big step - committing to produce for a shop. I've been thinking of this myself. I went to your site and you need a button on your site pointing to your shop. I figured you need a button. I've made you a button using your logo/banner. Email me and I'll send it to you.

Who could say it better than Brooke in the above comment. She is right, toot our own horn loud and clear and be proud of all you have accomplished and generously given to many other quilters. I support your efforts wholeheartedly!

Congratulations on your new shop! I'm sure it will be a fabulous success - especially if your pillows are an example of the beautiful things that will be available! You're a huge inspiration for me, as you are for lot of others! Merry Christmas!!

so...i might get the pattern before I hear from this..but..does it use 2 1/2 inch squares? Cause I have one of those little packs of those 2 1/2 inch squares in CHRISTMAS!! And I have all day today and tomorrow to sew!!

Hooray Amanda Jean! I will purchase that pillow pattern this morning, just as soon as I can see well enough when my migraine subsides! Will you be able to sell your book eventually also or do I need to order that from Amazon still? Congratulations on your business. I would send you a virtual bouquet of happy spring flowers if I could to celebrate. Three cheers!

That is a beautiful pillow pattern, and I wish you all the best in your new business! I've been contemplating opening an etsy shop this next year, and I know it's all those icky details that have scared me off in the past. Maybe I'll get some courage just seeing you go for it! :o)

I have to say, after reading Brooke's comments above, she has put into words my sentiments exactly. Thank you Brooke! And Amanda Jean, thank you for everything you do. I too have learned more from you than anyone else I have taken classes from. The other day I even caught myself referring to you as "my quilting friend" and quickly clarified that I consider you a friend but of course you are just an internet friend & I am just one of your gazillion admirers! Thanks for all the encouragement. Rooting & tooting horns for your most recent accomplishments! May the Spirit of the season bring special blessings to you & your family.

Congrats!! That is so exciting :) Hopefully now that you have the basics set up, it'll be easy to add stuff. I'm so happy for you and so thankful for everything you have shared. (PS: I still have my Round and Round quilt as a WIP - on hold for Chrismtas quilts. You were the inspiration to get me back into quilting after I took a long hiatus after my Grandma taught me. Thank you!!!)

Those cushions are gorgeous! I have no doubt the patterns will sell really well. Congratulations for being brave and doing something great! I only have two more quilts to do before Christmas and a couple of small gifts to make!

Congrats on your new shop! It must be a good feeling GOOD! I am sure once you have it gets going you won't feel so nervous about it! OH! I love your pillows! I must take some time to make one this winter break! I love the simplicity of the pattern and enjoy the quilting!! Happy Holiday~

I am happy to report that I was able to sit down at my sewing machine this week! It was only 15 minutes, but considering I hadn't done anything since September, it was a good start. It felt like coming home. :)

Congratulations on starting your own shop it must be very exiting. The simple but elegant quilting and those gorgeus colours makes those pillows really beautiful. I love the inspiration a get every time a visit your blog!

How did you know I wanted to make a pillow to match the quilt that I made for my son & daughter-in-law but didn't know how :) Can't wait to get the pattern I may even get it done before Christmas...Good luck with your shop!!

Congratulations on the new shop!! And I am THRILLED that this is the first pattern you put up! I tried to make those pillows last year after you posted your pictures, and it was a disaster!! I already bought the pattern and cannot WAIT to try it!!! thank you!

Oooh pillows! Now, this looks like something I need to tackle next…. I did get up a finish it up friday post again- on Saturday morning…I'm probably out next week too, since I will be traveling, but after that I plan to get back on the ball!

You did it! You opened your pattern shop! You sure have been busy lately. How wonderful that must feel to see your dream coming true. What a great first pattern to offer in your new shop, these adorable pillows. Love that argyle backing, which is one of my favorite prints. Congrats to you! I wish you much success!

I can't wait to see all your patterns! I'm starting my first quilt this week and I'm using your whirlygiggle pattern. I'm SO excited to see how it turns out!Here's my finished project for the week though. I feel so accomplished! :)

I have loved this pillow since you posted it last year around Christmas time. I am excited to purchase the pattern. I am determined to convert that design into a quilt. I have some ideas in my head-I will have to post a picture on your flickr group when I finish it. I love all your stuff. You are my biggest inspiration. Thanks!